Berlin Airlift
Discussion
I'm currently trying to trace my birth mother ( I was adopted at 8 weeks) and I have long been told that my birth mother's dad was involved in the Berlin Airlift.
Now, I know when it occurred and why it occurred and how we and our allies flew tons of supplies into West Berlin.
It has come to light that my maternal grandfather died in Devizes in Wiltshire on November 22nd 1948 aged 26. Hid death certificate states he 'died of multiple injuries through misadventure' which is all rather intriguing considering the Airlift connection. Apparently death by misadventure means he died doing something legal, but was deliberately putting himself in harm's way. As far as I know, there are no family connections with Wiltshire, it's Cornwall. There were quite a few airbases still operational in Wiltshire at that time after the war.
Would it have been possible he was injured during the Airlift and flown home for treatment? Did that happen? Or am I guilty of just wishful thinking, and he stepped out in front of a number 9 bus? Obviously just after the war, the medical facilities in West Germany might have been somewhat lacking, so is it actually possible he was flown home?
The Airlift took place between May '48 and June '49, so the timeline works, I just don't know enough about it.
Can anyone help?
Now, I know when it occurred and why it occurred and how we and our allies flew tons of supplies into West Berlin.
It has come to light that my maternal grandfather died in Devizes in Wiltshire on November 22nd 1948 aged 26. Hid death certificate states he 'died of multiple injuries through misadventure' which is all rather intriguing considering the Airlift connection. Apparently death by misadventure means he died doing something legal, but was deliberately putting himself in harm's way. As far as I know, there are no family connections with Wiltshire, it's Cornwall. There were quite a few airbases still operational in Wiltshire at that time after the war.
Would it have been possible he was injured during the Airlift and flown home for treatment? Did that happen? Or am I guilty of just wishful thinking, and he stepped out in front of a number 9 bus? Obviously just after the war, the medical facilities in West Germany might have been somewhat lacking, so is it actually possible he was flown home?
The Airlift took place between May '48 and June '49, so the timeline works, I just don't know enough about it.
Can anyone help?
You are correct Eric. I did know that.
I remember watching a series when I was a lad (late 70s?) about a bloke who started an airline business after the war with an ex services Dakota. Think it was called 'Airline' actually. Second series saw him on the verge of bankruptcy, then along came the blockade. Roy Marsden was in it I think.
I remember watching a series when I was a lad (late 70s?) about a bloke who started an airline business after the war with an ex services Dakota. Think it was called 'Airline' actually. Second series saw him on the verge of bankruptcy, then along came the blockade. Roy Marsden was in it I think.
Equus said:
Have you done the obvious thing of searching the local newspaper archives for Devizes, around that date?
Back before the days of facebook and twitter, there is a good chance that that sort of death would have been reported, if it happened locally.
No, I wouldn't really know where to begin if I'm honest. I'm more interested at this stage if it was likely he might have been flown home.Back before the days of facebook and twitter, there is a good chance that that sort of death would have been reported, if it happened locally.
Hang on, I know the Airlift flew in and out of Berlin via three air corridors, but where did they fly from? I just assumed it was West Germany, but could it have been from the UK?
marksx said:
This link has a list of names on the airlift monument:
https://www.uswarmemorials.org/html/monument_detai...
Thanks! He's on there! R/O D.W. Robertson. https://www.uswarmemorials.org/html/monument_detai...
So there was something in the rumour that my maternal grandmother received a pension in grateful thanks from city of Berlin.
Amazing the power of Pistonheads! Thank you, thank you so much. So he must have been injured and flown home.
Everyone, I cannot thank you all enough for your help.
From early last evening of a flaky rumour of the Airlift and an intriguing death certificate to not only confirmation of the rumour to knowing how and when and in what aircraft he died. My mind is completely blown.
I've emailed the BBAA to ask if they have any more information, perhaps they know how many sorties he flew, etc.
Once again, thank you all so much.
From early last evening of a flaky rumour of the Airlift and an intriguing death certificate to not only confirmation of the rumour to knowing how and when and in what aircraft he died. My mind is completely blown.
I've emailed the BBAA to ask if they have any more information, perhaps they know how many sorties he flew, etc.
Once again, thank you all so much.
Eric Mc said:
There's a nice museum at RAF Gatow now.
I can see I might have to spend some of next Spring and Summer going around Andover area and perhaps another trip to Berlin.Last time I was at Gatow I had a pleasant evening doughnutting a LHD Hertz Sierra down a closed and very snowy runway.
Benni said:
If the OP follows the link he will se a picture of the names list
on the base of the Berlin Airlift Memorial, the text above reads :
"They gave their lives for Berlin´s freedom, on duty in the airlift 1948 / 49"
https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=56...
Thanks Benni, already seen that. on the base of the Berlin Airlift Memorial, the text above reads :
"They gave their lives for Berlin´s freedom, on duty in the airlift 1948 / 49"
https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=56...
You think it's good? 
I started a hopeful topic looking for help, and within 24 hours I found out my grandfather was a hero who died in the Berlin Airlift and I'm 1/4 a Kiwi!
Not only that, but thanks to Eric, I now know what the aircraft looked like, have pictures of it and a whole lot of other information to investigate when the weather turns a bit warmer.
I bloody love Pistonheads!
I started a hopeful topic looking for help, and within 24 hours I found out my grandfather was a hero who died in the Berlin Airlift and I'm 1/4 a Kiwi!
Not only that, but thanks to Eric, I now know what the aircraft looked like, have pictures of it and a whole lot of other information to investigate when the weather turns a bit warmer.
I bloody love Pistonheads!
uncinqsix said:
There are a few mentions of him in NZ documentation. He passed his Public Service Arithmetic at the King Edward Technical college in 1937...
It's quite handy that he has a distinctive name.
Hi, if there is anything else you can find in NZ, I'd be very grateful. It's quite handy that he has a distinctive name.
Yes, his two forenames are somewhat distinctive, my original birth certificate has my middle name as Winstan same as his. I always thought it was a spelling mistake, but not obviously.
Eric, you have to build her!
Meanwhile over in the South Coast forum I posted a request and tuffer very kindly went along to the cemetery in Andover for me.
Thread here
https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
Meanwhile over in the South Coast forum I posted a request and tuffer very kindly went along to the cemetery in Andover for me.
Thread here
https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
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